The Albert County Museum and RB Bennett Centre is proud to announce the unveiling of a unique new exhibit honouring the early Acadian settlers who arrived here in the early 1700’s and helped establish a rich agricultural presence along the shores of the Petitcodiac River and the Bay of Fundy area. The “Acadians in Albert County” exhibit will be located in the south wing of the Exhibition Hall.

102 years ago today, April 9, 1917 the men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, stormed the hills of Vimy Ridge for the first Allied Victory of the First World War.

The Canadian Corps captured more ground, more prisoners and more guns than any previous Allied offensive. It was a major victory for the Allies. With the overall success of the Battle of Arras, a turning point in the Great War had been reached. Read more…

With 2018 quickly drawing to an end, we can look back on our year at the museum with pride. We opened an amazing new exhibit - The County of Heroes, CY Peck, VC and the Victory Cannons. The exhibit highlights the significant accomplishments of the people from Albert County both during and after the First World War. The exhibit honours the 55 men from Albert County who paid the supreme sacrifice while serving their county, and those who survived the horrors and came home. The exhibit tells the exciting story of the pair of German guns which sit in Hopewell Cape Square, and how they came to be there. It also honours, Cyrus Peck, a native born Albert County man who won the Victoria Cross, September 2, 1918 by telling his life story. If you haven’t had a chance to see it come in 2019!

We also welcomed Dan Ross, our new Manager to the museum. Dan had a great first year, getting a crash course on Albert County’s amazing history. He laid the foundation for our continued success, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he has planned for the future.

We continued our annual events - RB Bennett Day, the 42nd Annual Quilt Show and Fiber Arts Fair, the Royalty Tea, the Antiques Road Show and the Annual Christmas Concert. So without further ado here is the year in review!

World War I ended on November 11, 1918 but organizing the transport of thousands of soldiers back home to Canada took months. The Canadian soldiers spent their Christmas overseas but they were given designed 1918 Christmas cards to send home to their families. Read more here.

During the years of the First World War (1914 -1918) when the soldiers had to spend Christmas far from home, separated from their families and friends, Christmas cards were important reminders that there was life outside the trenches and outside of the war. Here are a few sent by Hugh Wright. Read more here.

“Just a few lines today to let you know that we are both well and that the war is at last over, so you will not need to worry anymore.” lines written by Hugh Wright in a letter home, November 11, 1918. Read the whole story here.

As we approach the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War, and we pause to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. You may wish to take the time to visit the grave sites of four of our fighting men who are buried here in Albert County.